UNWARY Synonyms: 136 Similar and Opposite Words

unwary

adjective

ˌən-ˈwer-ē

Definition of unwary

as in naive

lacking in worldly wisdom or informed judgment e-mail scams that take advantage of unwary recipients

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in careless

not paying or showing close attention especially for the purpose of avoiding trouble a dangerous stretch of desert that has claimed many unwary travelers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in susceptible

readily taken advantage of unwary consumers who unquestioningly swallow the dubious claims of TV pitchmen

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of unwary That can create a trap for unwary taxpayers because the law requires taxpayers to sue for a refund within two years of the IRS disallowing it. — Tom Cullinan, Forbes.com, 20 Feb. 2026 Rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have given fraudsters a host of new tools to trick unwary individuals into dishonest schemes. — Ranjita Iyer, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025 That’s because the agency’s duty is to stand in the way of businesses desiring to push unsafe and ineffective nostrums at unwary consumers, and also in the way of a perverse idea that personal freedom includes the freedom to be gulled by charlatans. — Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025 Some legal experts said the outcome could lead unwary retirement investors to receive investment advice that's not in their best interest, and cause confusion about the legal obligations that brokers, insurance agents and other financial intermediaries owe to retail investors. — Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unwary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unwary

Adjective

The cyclical reality awaiting ‘naive capital’ Allianz is far from the only insurer to have prospered through recent upheavals.

— Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 3 July 2026
But performing fealty to that naïve and impoverished picture of judging had become nearly de rigueur for both liberals and conservatives.

— Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 2 July 2026

Definition of naive

Adjective

However, people with weakened immune systems or certain underlying health conditions may be more susceptible to infection.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Cooking Oils Cooking oils high in unsaturated fats, such as olive, walnut, and flaxseed oils, are among the pantry items most susceptible to heat damage.

— Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 1 July 2026

Definition of susceptible

Adjective

All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

— Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
That law predates the much wider United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which took effect in 1994, giving ships the right of innocent passage through any country's territorial waters without paying a fee.

— Joanne Stocker, CBS News, 1 July 2026

Definition of innocent

Adjective

It is considered unsafe to swim in the rivers for at least 48 hours after a storm.

— Finch Walker, USA Today, 5 July 2026
As repair and evaluation work continues following major breaks in the Haverhill sewer line over a week ago, a nonprofit’s testing is still showing unsafe levels of fecal bacteria downstream in the Merrimack River.

— Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 5 July 2026

Definition of unsafe

Adjective

For a Marlins team that has suddenly become difficult to pitch to, Hicks has been easy to overlook and hard to replace.

— Tyler M. Carmona, Miami Herald, 8 July 2026
There are limits to this model, however Replicating this success at scale won’t be easy, said Paul Dergarabedian, head of marketplace trends for Rentrak.

— Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

Definition of easy

Adjective

The Cubs were the subsequent, unsuspecting victims of a 5-1 ambush.

— Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 7 July 2026
Shocking video appeared to show unsuspecting shoppers looking at grocery items seconds before the roof collapsed, sending a large amount of water gushing into the business.

— Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2026

Definition of unsuspecting

Adjective

The insults often accompany reports and even videos of kids and teens engaging in reckless riding — weaving through traffic, running stop signs, ignoring pedestrians, and performing stunts like wheelies in opposing lanes, sometimes without helmets.

— Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 7 July 2026
Platner has faced multiple allegations of reckless and drunken behavior and disturbing behavior toward women since launching his campaign in August.

— Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Definition of reckless

Browse Nearby Words

unwarranted

unwary

unwashed

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“Unwary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unwary. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of unwary

adjective

Example Sentences

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